Real-time schedules come to light-rail platforms

Light-rail train riders have been asking for months to have real-time schedule information posted on platforms. They have finally gotten their wish.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Metro Transit started posting the number of minutes until the arrival of the next Blue or Green Line train on electronic sign boards at all stations along both lines. Passengers will no longer see the "Please Check Schedules" message that has been appearing for months and aggravating riders.

Riders noticed the change immediately and word rapidly spread through social media.

Having real-time information appear on the signs has been in the plans ever since the Green Line began rolling in June, Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla said.

"We know people have long been asking for this, and if it were as simple of flipping a switch, we would have had it long ago," he said. "They take lots of planning, and we wanted it as close to perfect before people saw it."

Padilla noted that the system is still in a testing phase. On Thursday a few glitches were reported at the Mall of America and Union Depot stations. But overall, "things are running great," he said.

Drivers can plan on more weekend closures in the spring as the $239 million I-35W downtown-to-Crosstown project continues until 2021. In a shred of good news, MnDOT will reopen ramp access from northbound I-35W to 5th Avenue on Monday.

Winter's arrival has not put the chill on road construction as drivers will encounter another weekend freeway closure in Minneapolis, and bridge work in Forest Lake is expected to bring traffic delays.